For Disabled People, the Elderly and their Carers in the UK

Social Services - A Guide for Disabled People

Social service departments should provide
information about what
community care services you can obtain and how
to get them.

Social Services publish local Community Care Charters
drawn up with housing departments and the National Health Service. These
will enable users of the services and their carers to know who is responsible
for what and the standard of the service they can expect.

Assessing Your Needs

If you are a disabled person, you have the right to ask the
social services/social work department for an assessment of your care
needs. People caring for a disabled relative or friend also have the right
to ask for an assessment for them. A social worker, care manager or occupational
therapist will come and discuss your needs and wishes.

If you then need a range of services
and are eligible according to local criteria, social services will put
together a package of support which may include services from
private or voluntary organisations. If necessary they will put you in
touch with the NHS or other local authority services like housing. You
may have to pay towards the cost of some of the services. Carers of disabled
people can also ask for a separate assessment of their own needs.

Services Available:-

Home care or home help services can help you with
your personal and domestic care needs

Meals on wheels can deliver a hot meal to your home
if you have problems cooking. You may also be able to eat at a day centre
or luncheon club, perhaps for a small charge.

Equipment and adaptations:-

Social services provide
a range of aids and equipment for disabled people to use at home. They
also work with housing departments and housing associations to provide
adaptations (alterations to your home which will benefit you). An occupational
therapist will usually carry out your assessment.

Day centres provide facilities for recreation and
training to help people back to work. They may offer some supported employment,
educational and sporting activities, and provide the opportunity to meet
socially.

Day Care if you are a disabled person or your child
is disabled or considered to be in need, your child may be able to go
to a day nursery, a registered child-minder or a part-time playgroup.

Social Workers/care managers work in either the community
or in hospitals. They will assess your needs and provide services and
equipment to meet them if you are eligible. They will provide you with
support, help with welfare benefits, family difficulties and issues that
concern you, your carer and your family. If you are in hospital, the social
worker/care manager will help you to arrange services in preparation for
your discharge.

Residential care The care assessment

may result in a decision to provide residential accommodation in residential
care home or nursing home. If so, the local authority will either provide
a place in one of its own homes or contract with and independent (private
or voluntary) home to provide a place. Local authorities must make sure
that people have a genuine choice of which home they are placed in and that it is suitable for their needs.

When an authority places someone in a home, it assesses on a means-tested basis the ability of the resident to contribute to the cost. Most income and capital, above appropriate levels, is taken
into account when arriving at the amount you should contribute.

Registration as disabled person

You can, if you wish, register as a disabled person
with your local authority. Although this is not necessary to obtain local
authority services, it may help in getting concessions such as reduced
fares and Blue Badge parking.

Voting

If you have difficulty
in getting to a polling station or voting, you can apply for a postal
vote to your local electoral registration officer using form RPF7 from your local council offices.

Ask a social worker about any of these
services or contact your local social service/social work department

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